Recent History alumna Olivia Campbell was named the recipient of the Ryan M. Johnson PhD. Endowed Scholarship. Campbell was also a Flight Assistant at the Challenger Learning Center at Montco Pottstown. Photo by Gabi Lanza
When Olivia Campbell enrolled as a student at 海角社区, she wasn鈥檛 sure what she wanted to do with her life.
That all changed after she took History Assistant Professor Douglas Powell鈥檚 class at 海角社区鈥檚 Pottstown Campus and discovered a love for the subject herself.
鈥淚 took his classes three semesters in a row. I really enjoyed them. His classes made me decide I wanted to teach history,鈥� she said. 鈥淵ou can do it at any level. I very much enjoyed his classes and learned a lot from him.鈥�
Today her passion is being rewarded. Campbell, 21, a 2021 Boyertown Area Senior High
graduate, is the 2024 recipient of the Ryan M. Johnson PhD. Endowed Scholarship. This prestigious award is given to a graduating student who has displayed academic
excellence, a passion for history coursework, commitment to ongoing education, and
resilience in overcoming obstacles. Each year, the funding is awarded directly to
the recipient鈥檚 student account at the four-year institution to which they are transferring
to celebrate the journey of continued education.
In 2013, Dr. Ryan Johnson, a beloved professor of History at 海角社区鈥檚 Pottstown Campus passed away at 32 years old. Dr. Johnson was a dedicated educator with a passion for history and a belief in the importance of higher education and lifelong learning. Students eagerly signed up for his courses and fellow faculty and staff enjoyed working alongside him. It was a significant loss to the College, his loved ones, and the community at large.
In honor of Dr. Johnson鈥檚 love of history and devotion to education, his family and friends established the scholarship.
鈥淚t definitely really meant a lot to me especially,鈥� Campbell said on receiving the scholarship. 鈥淕oing into history, specifically for history education, to have something to encourage students to continue learning history from a history teacher was an incredible opportunity.鈥�
Campbell, of Barto, Berks County, started at the College in the spring of 2022 and found friends by becoming a part of groups on campus. In May 2023, she joined the Theatre Arts Department for a field trip to see a production of the musical 鈥淗adestown.鈥� That鈥檚 where she met Theatre Assistant Professor Jessica DalCanton, who suggested she help out with the fall production of 鈥淧illowman鈥� as an assistant stage manager.
鈥淲hen I showed up for the first rehearsal in the fall, they said 鈥楾he the original stage manager can鈥檛 do it. Can you do it?鈥欌�� said Campbell. 鈥淚 said, 鈥業 guess I can learn.鈥欌��
She ended up stage managing the fall production and the spring production of 鈥淗ome Free,鈥� with Theatre Assistant Professor Timothy Gallagher.
鈥淚 was happy to find the theater community,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 been super fun to be a part of.鈥�
Campbell is also a member of Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for two-year colleges. In addition, she is the recipient of Excellence in Liberal Arts Award, for history and political science. It was Powell who nominated her.
Lastly, Campbell has been a Flight Assistant at the Challenger Learning Center at Montco Pottstown since January 2023, assisting with the hands-on missions for middle school students. She works with students directly and helps when they need it, whether it鈥檚 in math, reading or finding ways to get the most out of their two-hour session. She said it鈥檚 good practice for her future career.
鈥淚鈥檝e been developing my abilities to work with students,鈥� she said. She thanked Communication Studies Assistant Professor Meredith Frank, who encouraged to apply for the position. She also thanked the team at Challenger for welcoming her and for all their support during her time working there.
Campbell said she鈥檚 also enjoyed studying at 海角社区, and in particular Pottstown Campus, because people will remember you.
鈥淭he staff recognize you,鈥� she said. 鈥淎nd I say hi to the security guards, the custodian. When I was getting ready for Commencement and picking up my cap and gown, everyone said congratulations.鈥�
Even before Commencement, Campbell said the staff in Career Services helped prepare her for life after 海角社区.
鈥淚t was easy to make an appointment,鈥� she said, 鈥渁nd they had lots of suggestions for places to apply. I have friends who have raved about it. They prepare you for success while at Montco and even after you graduated.鈥�
This fall Campbell is transferring to the University of Delaware to major in History Education, and minor in Museum Studies. She鈥檇 like to teach middle school history or became a museum educator and develop outreach programs for students in middle school. She credits her education at 海角社区 for helping her find her way to this point.
鈥淚t feels like I had a successful time here,鈥� she said. 鈥淲hen I came in, I didn鈥檛 know what I wanted to do. Having graduated, I feel prepared. With my classes, I learned a lot and narrowed down my future. I work in a job I love and met so many new people, and Montco even helped me reconnect with old friends. I had such a successful time here.鈥�
The 海角社区 Foundation is able to make a difference in the lives of students, like Campbell, thanks to the generosity of alumni, parents, community friends, private foundations, and corporations. To see how you can make a difference and discuss how your gift can be most meaningful to you, contact the Foundation or call 215-641-6324.